Ink Testing Instruments

Product Details:

• Simulating the dynamic conditions that occur in the ink-distributing system of a press, the Inkometer provides reliable data on the tack and length of ink.
• The Inkometer 1100's consistency allows you to quickly compare different inks, so you can evaluate new inks as well as maintain quality control in your press production.
• Features include test method storage, statistical reporting and data exporting, providing the tools to the testing lab that increase productivity in the printing and ink development industries

The Inkometer 1100 measures the apparent tack of printing ink under conditions closely approximating the dynamic conditions of the ink-distribution system of a printing press. The testing instrument provides the highest accuracy and efficiency for research and development, quality control and process evaluation to verify, test and improve quality.

This ink tack tester measures the integrated forces involved in ink film splitting and the effects of roller speed, film thickness, temperature and solvent evaporation.

The Inkometer 1100 consists of three rollers. The center roller is a temperature controlled brass roller. The bottom roller is an oscillating rubber composition distribution roller. The top roller is a rubber composition roller attached to the measuring system which measures tack. Rollers are available for testing standard and UV inks. The brass roller temperature is controlled by circulating a coolant mixture provided by a Constant Temperature Circulator (CTC).

The tack is reported in gram-meters and represents the torque required to "work" the ink film at a known rate with predetermined film thickness and temperature.

The Inkometer 1100 multi-line display shows the temperature, tack, roller speed and test time. Tack readings can be exported to the RS-232 port, the integrated printer or to a USB flash drive. Statistical reports can be viewed directly from the display. The Inkometer provides four test methods based on ASTM D-4361 as well as five user configurable methods that are stored in non-volatile memory.

Product Details:

The K Control Coater is widely used for the application of paints,
varnishes, adhesives, liquid printing inks and many other surface
coatings to produce quick, accurate and repeatable samples.
These may then be used for quality control and presentation
purposes, R&D, computer colour matching data etc. These are
elements vital to a company’s success in the modern world.

MAIN FEATURES
Controlled speed and pressure ensures repeatable results
Coating by wire wound bars or gap applicators
Two models offer coating areas of up to 170 x 250mm or 325 x 250mm
Multiple coatings in one operation for comparison purposes
Standard coating speeds infinitely variable between 2 and 15m/min

GAP APPLICATORS
A range of adjustable or fixed gap applicators are available for use. These are widely used for higher viscosity or thixotropic
materials and for high coat weights.

MICROMETER ADJUSTABLE APPLICATOR
This applicator incorporates an adjustable spreading blade using micrometers, toaccurately set the substrate/blade gap from
0–10mm in 10µm increments, providing an extremely versatile tool. It gives a coating width of either 100mm or 200mm, and
produces a wet film thickness of 50-80% of the gap setting.

BIRD APPLICATOR
Precision ground all over, these stainless steel applicators provide a coating width of 100mm
and are available with gap sizes of 25, 50, 75,100, 150 or 200µm.The wet film thickness
produced is 50-80% of the gap size.

CUBE FILM APPLICATOR
This provides a coating width of 41mm, and is made of precision ground stainless steel. Each applicator is supplied with two
gap sizes:– 50 and 100µm or 150 and 200µm. The wet film thickness is about 50% of the gap size

4-SIDED APPLICATOR
This device enables the user to coat four separate film thicknesses with a single applicator. Providing a coating width of
60mm, the 4-sided applicator is supplied approximately equal to 50% of the gap size and providing a wet film thickness of half
the gap size

K WEDGE BAR
An economical form of fixed gap applicator, produced by winding wire onto a stainless steel rod. Gaps between 50 and 1500µm are
available in 50µm steps. The wet film thickness is approximately equal to half the gap size, and a coating width of 100mm or
200mm is produced.

VACUUM BEDS
TYPE A
Recommended when coating on to a delicate or stretchy substance such as aluminium foil or polythene.
This is a rubber faced bed connected to a vacuum pump which holds the material perfectly flat. Vacuum is applied from the edges of the substrate only

TYPE B
A smooth aluminium faced bed with vacuum applied via multiple holes over the entire substrate surface. This is
suitable for more rigid substances, and especially recommended when coating on to paint charts with gap
applicators.

MAGNETIC BED
For use when coating on to a magnetic substrate such as tin plate, to ensure a totally flat surface. Permanent magnets are used, which are operated by an on/off key

HEATED BED
Specialised for applying coatings which require heating. 
Examples include hot melts and electrographic inks. The bed has a smooth aluminium face which can be heated up to 150 degrees and is set by a digital temperature controller.

GLASS BED
This provides a perfectly flat surface which is very easily cleaned. It is especially recommended for gap applicators which provide a hard surface.